If you want to serve chocolates
You’re looking for a box that friends can help themselves to. A range of flavours and individually wrapped chocolates can be handy; check how the chocolates are packaged in the box you choose.
Which option is right for you?
If you’re taking a small gift
You want to bring something that can be served with coffee straight away. Don’t just look at the box’s appearance; check what’s inside and the type of chocolate, too.
If you need to consider allergens
If a guest has a food allergy, the information on the exact packaging should guide your choice. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked food.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the box is mainly for sharing or for giving as a gift. Then check the contents, how the chocolates are packaged and the label before serving them to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should bear this in mind? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings on the exact packaging. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to check the label before putting the box on the table. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Sharing and variety | Check the flavours listed and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped. | With several friends around the table, I want everyone to be able to choose from a range of chocolates. Around 27% of consumers give this need top priority. |
| Gift packaging | Compare the shape of the box, the type of chocolates and the net weight. | If I’m taking something to a coffee get-together, I want a box that works as a gift, rather than simply choosing one for its large size. This matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity for a group | Compare the net weight in grams and consider whether anything else will be served alongside the chocolates. | For a larger coffee gathering, I want to have enough to serve everyone. The quantity is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a mixed box is suitable for every guest
A selection may contain several allergens. For the 250 g merci Assorted Chocolate Box, Jumbo lists milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among other ingredients.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’ve chosen before serving the chocolates, particularly if someone has a known allergy.
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Buying biscuits and chocolates for the same purpose
Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos is a biscuit to enjoy with coffee. It doesn’t necessarily offer the variety or presentation of truffles that you’d look for in a box of chocolates.
Decide whether you want a box of chocolates to share or give as a gift, or whether you’d rather serve biscuits alongside the chocolates.
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Choosing only the largest box
A higher net weight doesn’t tell you how many flavours or individual portions a box contains. The 300 g Choceur pralines and 400 g Moser Roth chocolates listed are also different products, not interchangeable portions.
Compare the quantity with the number of guests, and consider the type of selection and the label, too.
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Relying on an old product description
Ingredients and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn advises customers to read the product packaging.
Read the label again when you receive or buy the box, especially before offering it to others.
Brands to consider
These examples cover different types of chocolate as well as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee. Always check the variant you’ve chosen: a brand name doesn’t tell you what’s in every pack.
merci
The 250 g Assorted Chocolate Box listed by Jumbo is one example of a selection to share with guests.
- Jumbo lists a range of chocolate varieties in this box.
- The listed ingredients include milk, hazelnuts, almonds and soya, among others; check the label if anyone has a relevant allergy.
Lindt Lindor
A selection of truffles to take along to a smaller coffee gathering.
- For a 200 g Lindor mixed selection, Joybuy describes four chocolate flavours.
- The flavours and allergens in that pack don’t necessarily apply to other Lindor boxes.
Choceur
ALDI lists 300 g Choceur pralines made with milk chocolate and a crisp filling.
- The stated net weight can help if you’re looking for a box to share with several guests.
- Check the packaging you’ve chosen for the applicable ingredients and allergens.
Moser Roth
ALDI lists 400 g Belgian chocolates in this range, along with other chocolate and truffle varieties.
- The listed 400 g box is an option if quantity matters for your group.
- An overview of the range doesn’t describe the ingredients in every individual box.
Lotus Biscoff
According to Lotus Bakeries Netherlands, Original Speculoos is a biscuit to enjoy with coffee, not a box of chocolates.
- You can serve it alongside a box of chocolates if you’d like to offer biscuits, too.
- Remember to check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’ve chosen for biscuits as well.
Boxes of chocolates at Joybuy
These are boxes of chocolates and truffles to take along or serve with coffee. Compare the stated net weights and check the packaging for the flavours, pieces and allergens in the variant you’ve chosen.
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Lindt Creation Petits Desserts Ball, 173 g
A box of pralines to take along or serve with coffee when you’re meeting friends.
Net weight according to the product name: 173 g. Check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and best-before date before serving the pralines.
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Lindt Lindor Cornet Assorted, 200 g
A selection of truffles to take as a treat when you’d like to offer a range of chocolate flavours.
Net weight: 200 g. Joybuy describes this pack as containing milk, hazelnut, white and dark chocolate. Check the label for the current ingredients and allergens.
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Elvee Cream Bonbons, 300 g
A box of chocolates to consider if you’re looking for something to serve at a larger coffee gathering.
Net weight according to the product name: 300 g. If you’re planning portions for your guests, check the number of chocolates and the allergens on the packaging.
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merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A smaller box of chocolates to take as a thank-you when visiting someone for coffee.
Net weight according to the product name: 125 g. Check the packaging you’ve chosen for the flavour selection, number of pieces and allergens.
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Milka Happy Birthday Milk Cream Pralines, 110 g
A box of pralines to consider if your coffee get-together is also a birthday celebration.
The product name states 110 g and a milk cream filling, so don’t expect a selection of different fillings. Check the net weight and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check for allergens before serving a box of chocolates?
Yes, especially if a guest has an allergy or you’re unsure which allergens may be relevant. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked food, so check the exact packaging before serving the chocolates.
Why should I read the label again if I already know the brand?
Because ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging, even if they’ve already looked at the product information online.
Can Lotus Biscoff biscuits replace a box of chocolates?
Only if you’re actually looking for biscuits to serve with coffee. Lotus Bakeries Netherlands describes Original Speculoos as a biscuit; if you want truffles to share or a chocolate gift, choose a different type of product.
How do I work out how much chocolate I need for friends?
Start with the number of guests and what else you’ll be serving with coffee, then compare the net weights of the boxes. For example, ALDI lists 300 g Choceur pralines and 400 g Moser Roth Belgian chocolates; consider the type of selection as well before you choose.